My husband and I plan to stay at The Homestead Resort this July with our 3 year old. I'd like some feedback if anyone has stayed here in the past. Does the resort have it's own beach area? How far away is Sleeping Bear Dunes? I'd like to spend one day in Traverse City and one day at the Dunes. Is there enough at the Resort to keep us occupied for one or two additional days? Would appreciate any input you could provide.

You might want to repost this with the state in the title. I think a bunch of us are clicking on this thinking that you are referring to the Homestead in VA. Even if you specify the state when you post, it just gets lumped into the US posts.

i know where the real homestead is. it's in a lovely area of michigan and the resort is top-notch. you will have plenty of time to climb s.b. dunes and prowl around glen arbor, great hamburgs at the bar in empire. traverse city is not far with good shopping and food and views of the bay. gets pretty crowded during the cherry festival the first part of july, i think, which is fun.

one or two additional days could easily be spent touring the leelenau peninsula on scenic route 22 through wine country (a day trip) or just flopped on the wonderful beaches in the area. all a three-year-old will need is a pail and a shovel and sunscreen.

my favorite place ever along with southern utah.

Thanks seniormsuedu for your input. We don't necessarily have to stay at The Homestead. That was my first choice since it seemed close to Sleeping Bear Dunes and Traverse City. I would welcome any other suggestions for lodging close to SB Dunes. Looking for accommodations with a kitchenette, pool and maybe some on-site activities since we have a three year old who gets bored easily.

here is a web site: leelanauchamber.com

the best thing about that area is that there are no chain motels. the homestead is the largest and nicest in the region. there are a few small motels but mostly cottages that rent weekly. i don't think any have pools since there is a lake around every corner. the homestead is on lake michigan with a lovely clean beach and a view of the manitou islands. you can rent a condo with kitchen i am sure. it is an hour or so to t.c. and sleeping bear is just on the other side of small glen arbor bay. you can see it easily from the top of the dune at homestead.

there is not much night life. since it is so nice being in the outdoors, hiking and on the beach and touring, it feels good to go to bed early. we saved traverse city for a rainy day. there are pools and all kinds of motels there. you can check the fodor's site for comments.

my kids loved the beach. kept them busy for a long time playing with their toys and the other kids they found.

The Homestead is one of Northern Michigan's finest resorts and it sits in the middle of the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore - although the section of the SBD with the most spectacular dunes is about 10 - 15 minutes south of the resort.

The resort has loads of children's activities and even something of a daycare center for kids on site. Besides its beach the homestead has several pools and at least two restaurants on the property. For additional activities there is a small par 3 type golf course and a ski hill. There are canoe liveries nearby for canoe rentals. Besides the 45 minute drive to Traverse City, which is full of sites, shopping and restaurants and wine tours, you could take a side trip up to Leland and its charming little 'Fishtown' which also has some cute little shops and a few nice restaurants.

While staying at the resort, we got in our car and drove about 10 minutes North to a miles-long beach in the SBD National Lakeshore which was virtually deserted and fantastic. There is alot to explore in the general vicinity of the resort and it is well worth the extra cash you'll spend to stay there.

The Lake Michigan beaches are beautiful. My kids had a ball playing at the beach where the Platte river empties into Lake Michigan. This is just south of Sleeping Bear Dunes. The Platte river isn't a big river - more like a stream as it approaches Lake Michigan. The water isn't deep as it approaches Lake Michigan because the wind and wave action from the lake moves sand into the river. But it is a lot of fun for kids and adults because there is just enough current to have a little fun.